Overview
After sightseeing in Lhasa head straight to the coiling scorpion-lake of Yamdrotso before heading and the glacier-draped Karola pass to Gyantse with its must-see Pelkor Chöde Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum. A 90mins drive away is Shigatse, with its impressive Tashilump Monastery, one of the Six Big Monasteries of Gelugpa (or Yellow Hat Sect) in Tibet.
Day 1 Arrival In Lhasa
Taking flight into Tibet will give you a panorama of the snowy Himalaya Mountains Or 1-2 days of train riding over the high plateau by crossing Tanggula Mountains with beautiful sceneries along the way. Once you arrive, our local Tibetan tour guide and driver will greet you at Lhasa Airport/Railway with traditional Tibetan white scarf to wish you good luck! Then transfer you to the hotel, the rest of the day you will be free to wander around the city on your own but try not to overtax yourself. The first day's well-rest is crucial to acclimatize high altitude. Remember to drink lots of water, eat light, and not to shower if you can help it.
Stay overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★
Other service: Free Lhasa Railway Station transfer at all time on first & last day, Free Lhasa Airport transfer on first & last day at times
Day 2 Lhasa Suburb
Today’s first attraction is to visit Drepung Monastery which is the world's largest monastery that housed for more than 10,000 monks; it was the resident of the Dalai Lama. After lunch, you will continue to visit the Sera Monastery which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choeje. The most attractive thing of Sera Monastery is Buddhist Scriptures debating held in the courtyard between 15:00 - 17:00 from Monday to Saturday.
Stay overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★
Attraction:Drepung Monastery Sera Monastery
Meals:BreakfastWelcome Dinner
Day 3 Lhasa City
In the morning our guide will meet you at the hotel and first take you to visit famous Potala Palace, the cardinal landmark of Tibet and the masterpiece of Tibetan architecture, it was first built by 33rd King Songtsen Gangpo in the 7th century and rebuilt it later in 17th century by 5th Dalai Lama, now it is a museum and world heritage site.
In the afternoon, we will go to visit Jokhang Temple in the center of the old Lhasa city. Jokhang Temple is one of the most sacred temples in all over Tibet and it is always bustling with earnest local pilgrims since from early days. After that you will take a walk around the Barkhor street which is the one of the most devotional circuit as well as crowded central market of Lhasa, Barkhor Street is located in the old area of Lhasa City Tibet, it is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang Temple and the locals are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, it is also a must-see place for visitors.
Stay overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★
Attraction:Potala Palace Jokhang Temple Barkhor Street
Meals:Breakfast
Day 4 Lhasa- Gyantse- Shigatse
We will pass by Gampala pass (4794m) on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse and visit Yamdrok Lake, it is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet, and it’s around 70km long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams.
Later we will pass and enjoy the Karola Glacier on the roadside; it is about 300m from the main highway with easy access on your way to Gyantse. Then visit Pelkor Chode Monastery is the main monastery in Gyantse. Pelkhor Choede in Gyantse town is located about 230km to the south of Lhasa and 100km to the east of Shigatse. The monastery is a short walk from the heart of the town.
Stay overnight in Shigatse, 3★/4★
Attraction:Yamdroktso Lake Karola Glacier Pelkor Chöde Monastery with Gyantse Kumbum
Meals:Breakfast
Day 5 Shigatse-Lhasa
In the morning, we will visit the home of Panchen Lama - Tashilunpo Monastery, it was founded by the 1st Dalai Lama in 1447, is a historic and culturally important monastery in Shigatse and also the second-largest city in Tibet. It located on a hill in the center of the city, the full name in Tibetan of the monastery means "all fortune and happiness gathered here" or "heap of glory". For the trip back to Lhasa later afternoon, we will provide you two solutions which will be decided by Great Tibet Tour.
Option A: Drive from Shigatse – Lhasa;
Option B: Train from Shigatse – Lhasa;
For Option B, the guide will accompany you to take a taxi to Shigatse Railway Station, and take the train from Shigatse to Lhasa. And upon your arrival in Lhasa, we will arrange you to be dropped off at your hotel. The taxi & train fare are included in the cost.
Stay overnight in Lhasa, 3★/4★
Attraction:Tashilhunpo Monastery
Meals:Breakfast
Day 6 Depart From Lhasa
Today your guide and driver will escort you to the airport or railway station for your next destination. Before your departure, we will appreciate if you can spend a few minutes to evaluate our services either by filling the feedback form or simply send us an email when you back home. Your whole trip officially ended.
Meals:Breakfast
Other service: Free Lhasa Railway Station transfer at all time on first & last day, Free Lhasa Airport transfer on first & last day at times
Economic Class (3-Star Hotels)
2017-11-01 ~ 2018-03-31 4600
2018-04-01 ~ 2018-06-30 4900
2018-07-01 ~ 2018-10-10 5500
2018-10-11 ~ 2018-10-31 4900
2018-11-01 ~ 2018-12-31 4600
Comfortable Class (4-Star Hotels)
2017-11-01 ~ 2018-03-31 4900
2018-04-01 ~ 2018-06-30 5500
2018-07-01 ~ 2018-10-10 6300
2018-10-11 ~ 2018-10-31 5500
2018-11-01 ~ 2018-12-31 4900
Our Service
INCLUSIONS
*Lodgings: 5 Nights, twin room en suite in 3★/4★
*Meal: 5 Breakfasts & 1 Welcome Dinner
*Travel-licensed vehicle according to group size & season as itinerary needed including gas and parking fee;
*Free Lhasa Railway Station transfer at all time on first & last day;
*Free pick-up from airport to hotel at 10:00 am，14:00 pm and 17:00 pm on the first day;
*Free drop-off from hotel to airport at 7:00 am，9:30 am and 12:30 pm on the last day;
*On Day 5, if GTT decides to use Option B, the hard seat train tickets from Shigatse to Lhasa will be included by GTT
*Guide: experienced local English-speaking tour guide
*Attractions: all entrance fee mentioned in itinerary
*Permit: Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (TTB)z
*Travel Agency Liability insurance;
*Government Tax;
*Express delivery fee of Permit (eg. SF. Express)
*Food & lodgings for guide & driver;
*Oxygen tank for emergency use;
*Two bottles of mineral water per person per day;
EXCLUSIONS
* International flight to and out of China;
* Domestic flight/train to and out of Lhasa; (We’d like to book the domestic flight/train ticket at the BEST price. Please contact us for details.)
* Lunch & Dinner are not included but we will recommend some good ones for you according to your requirements. Usually, it takes 3-10 USD per person for each meal.
* While Gratuities for guide and driver is NOT mandatory, it is expected. Based on their service, you can tip them on the last day of the tour. Each of you is suggested to tip them 5-10 USD/day in total;
* Personal expenses;
* Anything not mentioned in the Inclusions.
